Even Though I Defeated the Demon Lord, My Wife and Daughter Treat Me Like Trash ~ I Found Out My Wife's Child Isn't Mine, and When I Confronted Her, She Got Mad and I Was Exiled. The Country's in Trouble Because the Demon Lord Came Back? Sorry, I'm Getting Remarried to a Princess, So I Can't Help. - Chapter 23: Camilla's Ambition (From the Cheating Wife's Side)

Chapter 23: Camilla’s Ambition (From the Cheating Wife’s Side)

Camilla, summoned by the king, maintained a solemn expression as she responded to the messenger, but inside, she was rejoicing.

Finally, the time had come.

Her parents, who had run a church in a rural village, had died of starvation, giving away even their own food to the villagers despite struggling to gather enough donations.

A priest sent from the royal capital to examine the bodies called her parents “saints.”

How ridiculous, she thought.

They had simply starved to death.

Camilla, who was also found on the brink of starvation and taken in by the church in the capital, threw herself into studying holy magic with everything she had.

She remembered the words of the old blacksmith who lived nearby:

“Get yourself a skill, and you’ll never go hungry.”

It seemed far more practical than the “teachings of God” her parents had often spoken about.

Though they had belonged to the church, her parents couldn’t even use magic—or even read properly.

They could recite the scriptures from memory, which Camilla found laughable.

It was useless and got them nowhere.

Healing magic was difficult, but that only made it more valuable.

Camilla believed that mastering this skill would secure her future, so she studied relentlessly.

Rare books that were beyond the reach of lower-ranking priests? She copied them by offering her body as payment to the owners.

Even the most pious-looking saints would gaze at Camilla with lust in their eyes.

In those moments, she thanked her late mother.

“Thank you for blessing me with such good looks,” she would think.

After two years, Camilla became the best practitioner of holy magic in the capital’s church.

That was when she heard Prince Albert was forming a party to defeat the Demon Lord.

Opportunities to get close to a prince didn’t come often.

It was worth risking her life for.

If she became the prince’s wife, she would never have to worry about her livelihood again.

Once they started traveling together, it was clear that Prince Albert was attracted to her.

Yet, he hesitated to make a move.

However, after Albert went missing for three days inside the Demon Lord’s castle and the group retreated to a nearby village to regroup, he finally came to her bedchamber one night.

His loneliness after being isolated in enemy territory had made him seek comfort in another’s warmth.

Camilla pretended to be an innocent, naive girl.

By that time, Camilla had almost given up and was considering “settling” for Van instead, but she had just made it in time with Albert.

It had been ten years since that night.

Since the king had personally summoned her, it was likely she would be questioned about her relationship with Albert.

That man, Albert, had grown increasingly arrogant recently, no doubt because the king—his biggest obstacle—was bedridden with illness.

Before, Albert used to sneak around, trying to keep their affair hidden. But now, he boldly called her to the castle without hesitation.

No one around dared to warn or advise him, likely out of fear of the future king.

Camilla made sure to fuel the rumors, going out of her way to please him with loud, exaggerated performances.

And Albert, emboldened, took the extreme step of exiling Van.

It was likely that someone, fed up with his actions, had finally reported it to the king.

Now, at last, her plan was starting to bear fruit.

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“I apologize, Camilla, for making you come all the way here due to my poor health.”

“No need to apologize, Your Majesty. I will always come whenever you call.”

The king looked… exhausted.

Though known for his sharp mind, today he seemed deep in thought, unsure of what to do.

“Camilla, how long have you been involved with Albert?”

“It has been ten years now.”

“I see… that long ago.”

“Yes. I deeply regret keeping it from Your Majesty.”

“What was the reason it started?”

“He came to my bedchamber and made advances. Of course, I thought about resisting, but as someone whose only skill is healing magic, I realized that resisting someone as strong as Prince Albert would be futile… so, he took my purity…”

“I see… I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

“It’s alright. The prince continued to seek me out after that. I was engaged to Van, but I was terrified of anyone finding out… so the relationship continued until now.”

“I understand…”

The king fell silent for a while, lost in thought.

But Camilla, knowing the king’s sense of duty, could guess what his conclusion would be.

She waited for the words she knew would come.

“Very well. If you agree, I will make sure Albert takes full responsibility.”

Camilla immediately understood the meaning of his words.

But she feigned ignorance and asked with a hint of innocence.

“…And by responsibility, you mean?”

“If you agree, I will make Albert take you as his wife. Of course, if the idea of marrying the man who disrupted your life doesn’t sit well with you, we can consider other options.”

There it was.

But she couldn’t jump at the opportunity immediately.

“Could I… perhaps have some time to think about it?”

“Of course. Take all the time you need to decide. And… let me add, I intend for you to become his first wife.”

First wife!

Camilla had assumed she’d be made a concubine after Albert married the imperial princess. This was an unexpected stroke of luck.

But she didn’t show her excitement—she maintained a look of confusion.

“F-First wife? But, Prince Albert is engaged to the imperial princess…”

“No, that engagement has been annulled. I doubt it can be restored.”

“Oh my… what happened?”

“I suspect… Van is involved.”

“Van?”

“Yes. I suppose it’s time I tell you. Van is likely the son of the late Emperor Vildreft.”

“W-What?”

Van? The son of the late Emperor Vildreft of the empire?

The king continued speaking, but Camilla barely registered his words, her mind racing with this new revelation.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

Camilla left the palace, only saying she needed some time, and returned home.

What had she done?

Even though she hadn’t known, this was an irreversible mistake—a huge one.

Normally, as soon as she returned, she would call for Emilia, but she didn’t have the energy.

She wandered through the house, eventually opening Emilia’s door without knocking.

“M-Mom?!”

Her daughter—was holding something and quickly tried to hide it behind her back.

Without saying a word, Camilla walked over and took it from her.

It was Van’s clothing.

“M-M-Mom!! I-I can explain, this is…”

“Oh, isn’t this Van’s shirt?”

“Y-Yeah, I’m sorry, it’s Mr. Van’s…”

“Mr. Van’s? Fufu, Emilia, you’re saying something strange… it’s Daddy’s, isn’t it?”

“Eh…?”

“I’ve been thinking, sweetie. Blood ties are important, of course, but even more than that—we’ve lived together for ten years. That’s what really matters, right? Don’t you agree? That’s why you’ve been keeping Daddy’s shirt so safe, isn’t it?”

“…Y-Yeah.”

“I think your Dad misunderstood something, though.”

“Misunderstood…?”

“Yes. That’s why Mom… will go talk to Dad and sort things out.”